A local organization is asking for contributions of cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment to support area public safety officials.
The NWA COVID-19 Task Force is comprised of area school, city, county, state, fire, police and first responder representatives, according to a news release.
To help
For more about Sheep Dog Impact Assistance or to help with the effort, contact kricker@sheepdogia.….
The group has met virtually for the last few weeks beginning March 16. Monday's meeting drew more than 120 local officials from Benton and Washington counties, Rogers Fire Chief Tom Jenkins said.
Jenkins has received calls from people who want to donate items, and this contribution drive will help centralize donation efforts instead of coming in piecemeal across the two counties.
There is limited availability of personal protective equipment because of the coronavirus pandemic, the release stated.
"While the federal government has begun funneling PPE supplies, our area is receiving very little. All hospitals, clinics, and first responder stations have little if any of what they need to protect their workers. Many have no PPE whatsoever, so the need is critical in NWA," Rose Corscadden, communications director for Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, wrote in an email.
The task force, in collaboration with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, will gather the following donations: alternative cleaning solutions, Clorox or PDI wipes, digital thermometers, exam gloves, eye protection, face shields, gowns, hand sanitizer, isolation gowns, masks, N95 masks, plastic gowns, protective coveralls (cotton, Tyvek or like material), sewn homemade cotton masks, shoe covers and surgical masks.
Corscadden said gift cards for fuel, food and groceries also will be accepted. All donations will be distributed to Northwest Arkansas public safety personnel, she said.
Fayetteville Fire Chief Brad Hardin said local fire departments are pretty well equipped, and the drive for supplies is to stay ahead of any potential shortfalls. The donated items would also help local first responders and hospitals, Hardin said.
Personal protective equipment is becoming harder to obtain, not just in the area, but across country, he said.
"It's an unprecedented time," he said. "You can't buy anything -- gowns, masks."
Dropoff locations include:
• Fayetteville Fire Station No. 1, 303 W. Center St. Donations can be left inside the entry from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Rogers Police Department, 1905 S. Dixieland Road. Donations can be left inside the marked Community Room from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Springdale Fire Station No. 1, 417 N. Holcomb St. Donation can be left at the first floor main entrance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
There will be limited public contact at the dropoff locations, according to the release. Donations should include a note of what was donated and the name of the donor so the task force can recognize contributions.
The drive will go on indefinitely, Jenkins said.
NW News on 04/02/2020